Deposed Crown Prince: After three years of service on the frontier, the entire court knelt and begge

Xiao Ce smiled and nodded: "Is there a way?"

Zhang Yunqing did not refuse: "Your Highness, there is indeed a way. However, Your Highness, you must have a better way! I won't embarrass myself by saying it. I will cooperate with your plan one hundred percent."

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "I don't know them well, so my plan might not be suitable. Tell me your plan first... I'll advise you!"

"Then may I, a humble commoner, humbly say a few words?" Zhang Yunqing cupped his hands and looked at Xiao Ce.

Xiao Ce smiled and said, "I'm here today to hear what you have to say."

Zhang Yunqing glanced at Xiao Jiu subconsciously.

"We're all on the same side here, there's nothing we can't talk about."

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Zhang Yunqing nodded and asked directly, "Your Highness, do you wish to use civil means or military force?"

Xiao Ce didn't respond, but instead threw the question to Zhang Yunqing: "What do you think of using words, or is using force even better?"

Zhang Yunqing said, "The way to use force is to directly take the heads of these powerful clans and prestigious families and force them to submit, or to demand money and provisions! And they will definitely not comply, they will definitely resist."

"Once the prince's troops have gathered, we can launch a legitimate attack on them under the pretext of their rebellion! Although they have hidden a number of guards, those troops have never actually fought a battle, so their combat effectiveness is probably not very good."

"However, there is a drawback to using force! That is, if they are pushed to the brink, these powerful clans will definitely turn their backs and surrender to the Turks. With the help of the Turks, and since Your Highness has no follow-up support, things will likely become even more difficult. There are more than 300,000 unregistered household slaves and 200,000 guards in the thirty cities of the entire northern desert, totaling more than 500,000!"

"These people have been brainwashed by the powerful noble families. If war really breaks out, they can still select at least 100,000 soldiers from among their household slaves! Moreover, those household slaves will all see you as an enemy and will definitely fight back. Therefore, in my opinion, using force is not the best way, because in my opinion, both the household slaves and property of the powerful families belong to the prince! Using force is just fighting against ourselves!"

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "That's indeed what I think too. Especially after hearing from you about the 300,000 household slaves and 200,000 guards! These are all my subjects! Is that number accurate?"

Zhang Yunqing nodded with absolute certainty: "Your Highness, this number is only higher, not lower!"

I had heard Qian talk about it before, that those powerful and prestigious families kept their own servants and guards.

Now we know from Zhang Yunqing that this number exists.

Xiao Ce listened and said, "So, the imperial court has been deceived all along?"

Zhang Yunqing nodded and said, "That's right, Your Highness. So the poorest people have always been the registered slaves of the four northern prefectures!"

"What you mean by 'coming from the mainland'?" Xiao Ce asked.

Zhang Yunqing said, "Your Highness, you should now have control of the nine cities from Yanmen Pass to Lingxiao City."

Xiao Ce nodded.

Zhang Yunqing said, "That's exactly right, Your Highness, first establish a firm foothold! Don't have direct conflicts with them! While they're all here, you can get them to express their support for your identity as the King of Mobei, and have them jointly impeach Bao An, attributing Bao An's death entirely to treason, saying he was killed during the suppression of the rebellion."

"This will create a vacancy for the position of border commander! Your Highness can simply select one of the four major clans, let them choose someone to fill the position, and then recommend them to His Majesty! At that time, the Second Prince and Consort Hui will definitely not agree and will surely replace him!"

"In that case, they'll fight tooth and nail for this command position!"

"And Your Highness, you can take this opportunity to secure the nine cities, settle the refugees, and train the newly recruited soldiers! Your Highness can adopt a strong stance towards the Turks. In this way, Your Highness can use the Turks to weaken the power of these powerful clans."

Listening to Zhang Yunqing's analysis, Xiao Ce laughed and said, "Haha, you're really wasting your talents as a businessman! But would they be that stupid? Isn't the border commander a hot potato?"

Zhang Yunqing shook his head and said, "Your Highness, this position of border commander is a hot potato for ordinary people, but it is not for these powerful clans! The border commander has the responsibility of leading troops, deploying troops, and recruiting soldiers. If he has the position of commander, he can openly collect military pay from the Imperial Military Command and have the court support his troops."

"Moreover, he can openly allow his guards to roam the four prefectures of Mobei. The guards they privately recruit are ultimately not up to par. Whoever controls the position of the border commander will have more say in Mobei."

Zhang Yunqing's ideas often coincided with Xiao Ce's.

Xiao Ce nodded and said, "Alright, I understand! You can rest here for a while and don't need to write those things anymore!"

Zhang Yunqing nodded, and he didn't ask Xiao Ce what he wanted to do.

He just needs to say what he wants to say and express his attitude.

She had just gotten up to see Xiao Ce off, and had just reached the door.

Zhang Yunqing, as if remembering something, asked Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, how do you plan to deal with that Khan? What do you need...?"

Xiao Ce interrupted Zhang Yunqing before he could finish speaking, saying, "I have other uses for him!"

Zhang Yunqing wisely kept quiet.

"If you have the time, draw me a map of the Turkic Kingdom!"

Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Zhang Yunqing excitedly said, "Your Highness, I've already prepared this. However, it's located at my residence. If you need it in a hurry..."

Seeing this, Xiao Ce smiled and said, "No rush. Alright, relax now and get some rest. In a few days, I will need you for a great purpose."

Seeing this, Zhang Yunqing nodded: "Your Highness, rest assured. I will definitely do my best for you!"

Xiao Ce smiled and said to Xiao Jiu beside him, "Go find some maids to help him take a bath or something, he's all smelly!"

Xiao Jiu nodded and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, is that alright?"

Xiao Ce waved his hand: "Don't be so polite with me."

After leaving, Mos Ashina peeked out and secretly observed.

Seeing Xiao Ce looking in his direction, he hid again.

After watching Xiao Ce leave, she waited for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before tiptoeing to Zhang Yunqing's room.

After knocking on the door, Zhang Yunqing saw Mos Ashina, who was looking at him with a very fake smile.

Zhang Yunqing bowed slightly to Mos Ashina, then looked around.

Before he could speak, Zhang Yunqing lowered his voice warily: "Your Highness Khan, let's go inside and talk!"

As he spoke, he stepped aside and let Mosashina into the house.